Abu Dhabi vs. Dubai?? Pro/Con Factors??

[TLCOhio]

On 11/12/2018 at 2:01 AM, 3Shelaghs said:

Enjoy Terry, and don’t forget to post a review. Safe home

 

YES!!  We just completed our Jerusalem/Holy Lands, Egypt/Valley of the Kings,Petra/Jordan, Oman, Dubai/Abu Dhabi, etc., exploring.  To see the trip live/blog for this history and religious “adventure”, check out these postings linked below.  We started in Athens, Greece on Nov. 14, then traveled various locations connected with three of the world's major religions.  Many fun and interesting visuals on this live/blog!!   Check it out and let me know any questions or comments.  Just over 6,000 views so far on this live/blog. 

 

Here is the link to connect to our latest exploring at: 

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

Regarding Abu Dhabi, etc., have just seen a couple of articles that might be of interest for future planning.  Both bring back nice, recent memories.   From the Wall Street Journal and Sydney Morning Herald in Australia, they offered good UAE coverage.  Last weekend, in the Wall Street Journal, they had this headline: “An Insider’s Guide to Abu Dhabi”  with these highlights: “For the past few years Abu Dhabi, the capital city and largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been steadily stealing visitors away from its flashier neighbor, Dubai, enticing them with a growing collection of cultural attractions. The biggest bait, a 260,000-square-foot Louvre opened last year on Saaidyat Island, a short drive from Abu Dhabi city. If all goes well, a Guggenheim designed by Frank Gehry will soon follow, as well as Norman Foster’s Zayed National Museum, named for Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who became the first president of the UAE upon its federation in 1971. Some 200 islands—many man-made and linked by bridges—comprise the emirate, along with the mainland’s expanses of red-tinged desert, where men have been hunting with falcons long before the UAE existed.”

 

This WSJ profile had a wide range of suggestions and ideas from local experts for considering to do in Abu Dhabi.  This news source has a pay wall and might not be reachable for non-subscribers on-line.  You could check public libraries for access if needing this research.  

 

From the Sydney Morning Herald, they had this headline: "Dubai or Abu Dhabi - Which is the best destination for a stopover?"    Among the story highlights: "What can you expect if you take the stopover plunge in one of these two — very different — desert cities?  Abu Dhabi, the capital of the cluster of seven states forming the United Arab Emirates, is more demure and traditional, but there are plenty of attractions, and the Corniche is the place to be seen, as locals and foreigners mingle on the waterfront.  Must-dos include a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, voted No. 2 by TripAdvisor in their list of the World's Most Amazing Landmarks.  Dubai, the brasher and more liberal cousin, feels more Disney than desert but it's our favourite stopover choice.  And there's plenty to please in this world of sprawling malls, theme parks, an international Trade Centre and the self-proclaimed seven-star hotel Burj al Arab, (stretching higher than the Eiffel Tower and only slightly shorter than the Empire State Building)."

 

Full stories at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/an-insiders-guide-to-abu-dhabihigh-and-low-11544712276?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=8

http://www.traveller.com.au/downtime-in-the-desert-dubai-or-abu-dhabi-for-the-stopover-gxx2ly

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From the Wall Street Journal, here are three of their visuals used in this detailed profile, including this first being a unique night angle of their spectacular Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.  Second is a view of people outside the Louvre Abu Dhabi.  Third is a view of "action" at The Corniche in Abu Dhabi.:

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[Jayayeff]

10 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

From the Sydney Morning Herald, they had this headline: "Dubai or Abu Dhabi - Which is the best destination for a stopover?"    Among the story highlights: "What can you expect if you take the stopover plunge in one of these two — very different — desert cities?  Abu Dhabi, the capital of the cluster of seven states forming the United Arab Emirates, is more demure and traditional, but there are plenty of attractions, and the Corniche is the place to be seen, as locals and foreigners mingle on the waterfront.  Must-dos include a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, voted No. 2 by TripAdvisor in their list of the World's Most Amazing Landmarks.  Dubai, the brasher and more liberal cousin, feels more Disney than desert but it's our favourite stopover choice.  And there's plenty to please in this world of sprawling malls, theme parks, an international Trade Centre and the self-proclaimed seven-star hotel Burj al Arab, (stretching higher than the Eiffel Tower and only slightly shorter than the Empire State Building)."

 

Full stories at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/an-insiders-guide-to-abu-dhabihigh-and-low-11544712276?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=8

http://www.traveller.com.au/downtime-in-the-desert-dubai-or-abu-dhabi-for-the-stopover-gxx2ly

 

 

 

 

Written by someone who clearly has never seen it - the Burj Al Arab is a mere 208m high (56 floors) which is well below the height of either the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building.  Having been to the top of all three of them I can guarantee it is the shorter of the three by a long way....😀

 

Anne

[TLCOhio]

On 12/19/2018 at 12:52 AM, Jayayeff said:

Written by someone who clearly has never seen it - the Burj Al Arab is a mere 208m high (56 floors) which is well below the height of either the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building.  Having been to the top of all three of them I can guarantee it is the shorter of the three by a long way.... Anne

 

Great that Anne has been to all three of these famous places.  Per Wikipedia, this Dubai hotel is 321 m (1,053 feet) tall to the top of the structure, but the top floor used is "only" 97.5 m (648 feet) high.  It is the fifth tallest hotel in the world, but 39% of its total height is made up of non-occupiable space.  At a total of 1,053 feet tall, it would compared close to the Eiffel Tower its tip is 324 m (1,063 feet) tall and its top floor is 276 m (906 feet).  The Empire State Building is a 102-stories, completed in 1931 with a roof height of 1,250 feet  and stands a total of 1,454 feet (443.2 m) tall, including its antenna.   

 

Inside this Dubai hotel/building, the atrium is 180 m (590 ft) tall.  Lots of interesting way to compare and contrast these interesting and well-known structures. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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[Northbay]

Hi Terry, good morning.  Could you please resend the link for your Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Petra adventure as the link you attached above takes one to your review for Asia and Mekong river, etc.  I do enjoy reading your amazing reviews.

We’ll be going to Dubai etc in March, and would love to read it as we are now in the process of planning for said trip.

Thanks.

 

Liz

[TLCOhio]

On 1/7/2019 at 9:59 AM, Northbay said:

Hi Terry, good morning.  Could you please resend the link for your Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Petra adventure as the link you attached above takes one to your review for Asia and Mekong river, etc.  I do enjoy reading your amazing reviews.  We’ll be going to Dubai etc in March, and would love to read it as we are now in the process of planning for said trip.  Thanks,  Liz

 

Super appreciate this great follow-up and the kind interest in my posts.   Glad to know Liz is  a person of such high class, great taste and wonderful judgment to make these generous comments.

 

For Live/Blog “Greece, Holy Lands, Egypt, Dubai, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East, check:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

Don't be shy!!  Let me know any and all questions, comments, info needs, etc.

 

Will soon try to post here many more details and visuals from last month's exploring of BOTH Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  Each is unique and different in their own special ways. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling for "down under” wonders. Exciting visuals with key highlights.  On page 15, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 217,432 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

From the  London/UK Independent early in March, they had this headline: “Abu Dhabi City Guide”  with these highlights: “Don’t come to Abu Dhabi expecting Dubai. The two desert cities are only 90 minutes’ drive apart (although plans are afoot to link them by train), but couldn’t be more different in vibe.  There’s a slow thoughtfulness to Abu Dhabi, helped by the fact that nothing here is quite as supersized as its more swaggering neighbour. The Emirati capital, built on an island in the Arabian Sea, has long been the seat of government and business – but it’s quietly adding more strings to its bow.  With the 2017 opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the city is also making a name for itself as the Emirates’ cultural capital.”

 

Here is what they said for this new, key attraction that we enjoyed touring: "Louvre Abu Dhabi packs the Gulf’s most powerful art punch. This landmark gallery is impressive inside and out: a futuristic steel shell opens up to a light-filled central plaza, off which labyrinthine exhibition halls are arranged. Inside there’s artwork by Ai Weiwei, Manet and Van Gogh as well as a vast selection of Middle Eastern antiquities. Open 10am-10pm, 63AED (£13)."

 

Full story at:

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/48-hours-in/abu-dhabi-city-guide-things-to-do-best-bars-hotels-restaurants-a8803276.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For my latest live/blog, see “the Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Check it at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

Here is the wonderful picture used to illustrate this profile of Abu Dhabi and its many excellent options.:

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[TLCOhio]

 From National Geographic two days ago, they had this headline: “photos reveal the splendors of Abu Dhabi”  with these highlights: “Situated on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula, the United Arab Emirates’ capital city is an oasis for adventure, culture, and comfort seekers. Discover the intricate designs of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, go sailing through azure waters, dine in opulent hotels, and relax at a soul-soothing desert retreat.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/asia/united-arab-emirates/abu-dhabi/photos-things-to-do/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 44,743 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

 

From National Geographic, here are just five of their most interesting and dramatic visuals from Abu Dhabi.  As shown in the second and fifth pictures below, we super enjoyed experiencing both Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi.:

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[TLCOhio]

Hope this is not too much on Abu Dhabi, but there has been much in the media lately about this part of the UAE.  From the London/UK Daily Mail earlier this past week, they had this headline: “Tourists are now allowed to visit Abu Dhabi's spectacular presidential palace”  with these highlights: “Part of the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi has been opened up to the public for the first time - and its interior is truly spectacular.  The Qasr Al Watan, which is inside the presidential compound, is being billed as a new landmark and a place where tourists can learn about the culture of the United Arab Emirates.   It only opened earlier this month, and so far visitors have been wowed by the building's huge white domes, dramatic chandeliers and intricate artwork.”

 

We saw this exterior from a distance, but the tours were not open in December 2018 when we visited Abu Dhabi.   This profile also shared: "Visitors can also explore a collection of diplomatic gifts received from visiting heads of state and foreign dignitaries, displayed to the public for the first time.  In a section of the palace called Al Barza, visitors will learn about the traditional role of a Majlis (which means council or assembly) through a multimedia show about Emirati leaders."

 

Full story at:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-6835293/Tourists-allowed-visit-Abu-Dhabis-spectacular-presidential-palace.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast.  Now at 27,901 views.  Many interesting pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

Here are two of the visuals featured by the Daily Mail from this spectacular palace in Abu Dhabi.:

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[little britain]

On 10/27/2018 at 7:05 PM, mom says said:

Found these links on a TripAdvisor  thread dealing with this subject:

http://www.mohap.gov.ae/en/services/Pages/361.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1i5giQunBuz_agwo-ptE1lwXd59q4msWTygnbOZf3xcGNFac45HQefNeI

 

http://www.mohap.gov.ae/Files/MOH_Service/361/Guidelines for carrying of personal medicines with travelers in to the UAE.pdf

 

The first is the MOH Web page . The second is a lengthy PDF with the categories and lists of the affected drugs. 

Does any one have a list of the drugs which are not allowed please - this 2nd link no longer works!

[TLCOhio]

1 hour ago, little britain said:

Does any one have a list of the drugs which are not allowed please - this 2nd link no longer works!

 

In preparing for this trip late last year, we brought along all of the info, including letters from our doctor and the State Medical Board, in order to be properly prepared.  BUT, however, when we arrive in Dubai in early December, all was simple and very, very easy.  Nobody even asked about any such drugs, nor needed any of the documentation we had prepared.  Maybe that was good?  Maybe not?  

 

My guess, only speculation, is that either with cruise ship and/or overall, that the Dubai officials have realized the serious "complications" with these rules and have backed-off as to their enforcement and implementation.  Clearly what they had proposed was not very  "practical" for the millions and millions of tourists who visit the UAE yearly.  Maybe the link does not work as they have de-emphasized such requirements?   Other thoughts and better info?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[Jayayeff]

48 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

 

In preparing for this trip late last year, we brought along all of the info, including letters from our doctor and the State Medical Board, in order to be properly prepared.  BUT, however, when we arrive in Dubai in early December, all was simple and very, very easy.  Nobody even asked about any such drugs, nor needed any of the documentation we had prepared.  Maybe that was good?  Maybe not?  

 

My guess, only speculation, is that either with cruise ship and/or overall, that the Dubai officials have realized the serious "complications" with these rules and have backed-off as to their enforcement and implementation.  Clearly what they had proposed was not very  "practical" for the millions and millions of tourists who visit the UAE yearly.  Maybe the link does not work as they have de-emphasized such requirements?   Other thoughts and better info?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

Terry - Nothing has changed.  The rules regarding controlled drugs have been the same for as long as I can remember and the guidelines and warnings have always been there.  The media storm late last year was when the MOH launched the pre-approval for controlled drugs per personal use via their e-services, but it was always stated pre-approval was optional and visitors could still do as always has been the case, i.e. carry original prescriptions and/or medical reports etc. with them if they use any of the listed drugs just in case they are required to show them during entry to the country.   In all the years I’ve lived here and passed through Immigration and Customs I’ve never been checked for controlled drugs so I would expect very few visitors would be either....However, if you are and you have the supporting paperwork then it shouldn’t be an issue...

 

Anne..

Edited May 23, 2019 by Jayayeff

[TLCOhio]

17 minutes ago, Jayayeff said:

Terry - Nothing has changed.  The rules regarding controlled drugs have been the same for as long as I can remember and the guidelines and warnings have always been there.  The media storm late last year was when the MOH launched the pre-approval for controlled drugs per personal use via their e-services, but it was always stated pre-approval was optional and visitors could still do as always has been the case, i.e. carry original prescriptions and/or medical reports etc. with them if they use any of the listed drugs just in case they are required to show them during entry to the country.   In all the years I’ve lived here and passed through Immigration and Customs I’ve never been checked for controlled drugs so I would expect very few visitors would be either....However, if you are and you have the supporting paperwork then it shouldn’t be an issue...Anne..

 

Great above added details and background from Anne.  This helps put practical perspective as to how all of this works in real life.  In case you missed it and to share for others, we found BOTH Dubai and Abu Dhabi very interesting and unique.  Glad we were able to visit and experience both of these different cities.  Special contrasts in comparing and sampling each location. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Wonderful scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 235,191 views.

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[little britain]

2 hours ago, Jayayeff said:

 

Terry - Nothing has changed.  The rules regarding controlled drugs have been the same for as long as I can remember and the guidelines and warnings have always been there.  The media storm late last year was when the MOH launched the pre-approval for controlled drugs per personal use via their e-services, but it was always stated pre-approval was optional and visitors could still do as always has been the case, i.e. carry original prescriptions and/or medical reports etc. with them if they use any of the listed drugs just in case they are required to show them during entry to the country.   In all the years I’ve lived here and passed through Immigration and Customs I’ve never been checked for controlled drugs so I would expect very few visitors would be either....However, if you are and you have the supporting paperwork then it shouldn’t be an issue...

 

Anne..

Anne -  where can one find this list of drugs please? I am travelling with a group of first timers and I would like to share it with them.....?  

thanks.

[Jayayeff]

54 minutes ago, little britain said:

Anne -  where can one find this list of drugs please? I am travelling with a group of first timers and I would like to share it with them.....?  

thanks.

 

i posted the link on the other thread you posted to...

 

Anne...

[TLCOhio]

From the Wall Street Journal earlier this month, they had this headline: “Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah Ready for Showtime” with these highlights: “The Palm Jumeirah has been Dubai’s most enduring work in progress for two decades. Now developer Nakheel is adding the finishing touches. Several major additions to the world’s biggest man-made island are approaching completion as it transitions from a near-perpetual construction site to a near-finished community—with hundreds of shops and restaurants set to open in the year ahead. Among the latest additions are a shopping mall and a tower that will form the centerpiece of the island, located close to the site originally earmarked for a 48-story Trump Tower.  While a monorail station originally bearing the Trump Tower name was completed 10 years ago, the tower itself never made it out of the ground, joining dozens of other developments across the city that were abandoned as property prices plummeted in the wake of the 2008-’09 financial crisis.”

 

Having traveled around and seen this amazing development in early December, this WSJ profile provides many more details and insightful background for its construction.  This story noted: "The Palm was where the Dubai property dream began, instilling the belief among investors that the emirate could deliver projects of an epic scale."

 

Full story at:

https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/dubais-palm-jumeirah-ready-for-showtime-203522?mod=cx_picks&cx_navSource=cx_picks&cx_tag=mgrt&cx_artPos=8#cxrecs_s

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Wonderful scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 236,157 views.

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From this Wall Street Journal profile, here is an overall view for this massive development in the sea project.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

[TLCOhio]

From the Telegraph and other News Corp newspapers in Australia earlier this month, they had this headline: “Abu Dhabi etiquette and top things to see” with this key summary: “A twinkling metropolis backing onto both the desert and the sea, Abu Dhabi is a cultural oasis that’s rich in tradition and progressive in spirit.”

 

Here are some more highlights: "As the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which was founded in 1971, Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven emirates.  With over 200 islands and 700km of coastline, it accounts for almost 90 per cent of the UAE’s total area and its cosmopolitan offering of world-class art, adventure, lavish stays and dining make it one of the Middle East’s most sophisticated gems.  The sun shines in Abu Dhabi year-round. Visit between November and April in the winter season when temperatures hover between 20 and 30 degrees and there’s plenty to do outdoors. January and February are the coldest months, with the thermometer dropping below 15 degrees in the evenings.  More than 80 per cent of the UAE’s residents are expats from countries such as India, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, the Philippines and the UK. Almost every language under the sun is spoken here, but English is most widely used."

 

Among the activity options suggested?:  "Visit world famous landmark Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque; see classic art in the Louvre Abu Dhabi (closed on Mondays); splash around at Yas Waterpark; ride the world’s fastest rollercoaster at Ferrari World; go kayaking in the mangroves; go dune-bashing in the Liwa Desert; attend the F1 Grand Prix and after shows in November each year; go on safari at Sir Bani Yas Island; shop for good-value gold and diamonds at the Gold Centre at Madinat Zayed; try Arabic coffee; get pampered at Emirates Palace Spa; tour the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital."

 

Full story at:

https://www.escape.com.au/destinations/middle-east/abu-dhabi-etiquette-and-top-things-to-see/news-story/34fd93ad6e280058ba2dafa28aea2fae?ad_sec2=middle-east

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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Below are two of the visuals used to illustrate this profile about Abu Dhabi from this Australia news source.:

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[TLCOhio]

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Telegraph in mid June, they had this headline: “48 hours in . . . Dubai, an insider guide to the City of Gold” with these highlights: “Dubai is often described as Las Vegas without the casinos. It certainly likes to do things on a grand scale. Supersized hotels, buffets, malls, amusement parks, aquariums, designer cars and luxury yachts are all commonplace. Expect to crane your neck looking up at the world’s tallest building — the Burj Khalifa — and then score a dizzying number of  Instagram likes with a photo taken in front of the world’s largest flower arrangement (five million blooms set in the shape of an Airbus A380 plane, thanks to the Dubai Miracle Garden).  Don’t be afraid of the heights, mega brunches or the 16-lane Sheikh Zayed Road that is the spinal column of Dubai. Indulge in the emirate’s excesses; put that elastic belt to the test, skydive out of a plane, spend like no one is watching and enjoy the year-round sunshine on more than 10 miles of wide sandy beaches. Moderation doesn’t suit this place. Go big, and then go home.”.

 

Interesting summary for the Dubai that we very much enjoyed in December, 2018.  Here are few more highlights from this media profile.  This includes an area we visited and loved: "If you’re right by Dubai Creek, jump on a traditional wooden abra. There are stops by the main souks; moving towards the mouth of the creek, find the textile souk (Ali Bin Abi Talib Street) on the left bank and the spice souk (34 Street) and perfume souk (Sikkat al Khali) on the right. Rides costs just AED 1 (22p), making them the cheapest sightseeing tours in Dubai." 

 

When to go?:  "Dubai is steamy and sweltering for most of the year. The best time to visit is November-March, when temperatures are moderate – though in the past few years, January, once considered the optimum month to visit, has been overcast and rainy. If you’re heading here for sun, sea and sand: spring and autumn are ideal, when you can bronze your body by day and cool down after dark in the air-conditioned restaurants, bars and shopping malls.  Summer, while blistering, is increasingly proving popular with budget travellers and families for the bargains that can be found – it’s the cheapest time to visit, but note that from June to September the average daily temperature is well over a scorching 40 degrees Celsius."

 

Full story at:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/middle-east/united-arab-emirates/dubai/articles/dubai-travel-guide/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

Below are a couple of the many visuals used to illustrate this highly-detailed profile in the UK Telegraph.:

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Edited July 7, 2019 by TLCOhio

[TLCOhio]

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Telegraph yesterday, they had this headline: “How to discover the real Dubai, beyond the skyscrapers and stereotypes” with these highlights: “The dominating presence of the Burj Khalifa (still clinging on to the mantle of tallest building in the world, although China is pursuing that one) epitomises what Dubai has ostensibly been about: a constant drive for things to be bigger, better and more brilliant. A city slicked in oil and dipped in gold.  Look left and you will see a scene a little less familiar: the low-rise white buildings of “Old” Dubai (a relative term here), laid out in a neat grid formation. It’s a scene that could have been snapped in the Sixties.  There’s a sense that low-key lives play out here and this is what I am here to discover, an alternative side to this Arabian hub that most think they know even before they go.”

 

A number of "alternatives" are offered to consider here in this profile of Dubai. 

 

Full story at:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/middle-east/united-arab-emirates/dubai/articles/real-dubai-skyscrapers-food-tour-off-beaten-track/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

 

Just completed Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Lots of visuals and details!!  That live/blog is at: 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

 

Or, you could simply do a quick Google search with these terms: 

“Live Terry/Ohio Muse Alaska”

[TLCOhio]

From  the Travel Section of CNN, the cable news network, earlier last month, they had this interesting headline: “The most spectacular money-no-object experiences in Dubai” with these highlights: “Holidaymakers tend to arrive at their destination in search of bargains.  Dubai also attracts visitors with a different approach and little interest in price tags - unless the bill is large enough to constitute an attraction in itself.  The Emirate is a well-established playground of the rich and famous, with celebrities, CEOs, and royal family members pitching up on its shores via helicopters, yachts and supercars. Dubai has developed a broad range of high-end attractions to cater for expensive tastes.”

 

This profile looks at some of the VIP experiences in Dubai.  Here is another "big money" example/option: "You won't have to worry about the neighbors telling you to turn the music down if they are not sharing the same land mass. As progress continues on Dubai's ambitious artificial archipelago "The World," private islands are hitting the market. One 11.6-acre offering is available for a bargain $16 million, and many more "countries" are due to become available in the coming years."

 

Or, this option??: "Since 2014, the iconic Burj al-Arab hotel has made its helipad available for weddings and private parties, with a starting price of around $55,000. At 212 meters above sea level, the locations offers stunning views, although vertigo sufferers may struggle. Hotel management are happy to offer bespoke touches such as personalized messages for birthdays that are visible as the helicopter guests arrive in."

 

Full story at:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/superwealthy-in-dubai/index.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 84,989 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

 

Here is the aptly-named Royal Bridge Suite at Atlantis, the Palm in Dubai.  This suite spans nearly 10,000 square feet, and includes a long list of complimentary amenities -- including spa services, personal training sessions, dolphin encounters, access to the attached nightclub, N'Dulge and unlimited passes to The Lost Chambers Aquarium and Aquaventure Waterpark. All three bedrooms come with an ensuite bathroom (though the master bedroom has two -- a his and hers). Not decadent enough?:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

[TLCOhio]

From Travel and Leisure magazine yesterday, they had this headline: “50 Best Places to Travel in 2020” with spotlighted attention as a top option for: “Dubai”.  T+L rates these top areas as "must-visit vacation destinations, and with something to suit every interest — food, shopping, culture, history, and nature."

 

Here are some of the story highlights: "Expo 2020 Dubai, the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, is set to change the face of a city whose face is always, already, constantly in flux. About halfway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the 1,000-acre “District 2020” will eventually have multiple parks, a dedicated metro station, and more than 200 restaurants and food venues. (After the expo wraps, the government plans to turn the site into a LEED Gold certified tech and education hub.) The country’s fraught record on labor issues has brought heightened scrutiny to the endeavor, but a whopping 192 countries have signed on to join in the festivities, including Iran, Israel, and Qatar, three nations with whom the U.A.E. has had strained diplomatic relationships. The program will feature 60 live shows every day, including “Al Wasl,” the first Emirati opera, scored by American composer Mohammed Fairouz with a libretto by Emirati writer Maha Gargash. And for the first time ever, each and every nation, from China to Djibouti, will have its own pavilion. During its run, which begins in October, the city expects to receive around 25 million visitors. It’s not often we get to publish the words “an event the likes of which the world has never seen” — but in this case, whatever you think of the whole expo enterprise, it certainly applies." 

 

Glad last year that we enjoyed Dubai, Abu Dhabi and a small sampling of these world-class sights and locations. 

 

Full story at:

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/best-places-to-travel-in-2020

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 226,439 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[TLCOhio]

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Times last month, they had this headline: “Best winter sun holidays” with these highlights for "best getaways".

 

Dubai was spotlighted as a top potential location with these story details: “Dubai is ideal for a fly-and-flop break. Make your base the swish Conrad Dubai, a sparkling hotel beside the World Trade Centre about two miles from the Burj Khalifa. After a day shopping, chill out by its pool, which is lined with desert palms and topped off with a waterfall. Go in February when the temperature is a pleasant 26C.

 

Full story at:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/best-winter-sun-holidays-destinations-2019-2020-rhc6fqcjk

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 65,302 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

[TLCOhio]

From Conde Nast Traveler magazine, they had this headline last month: “20 Best Places to Go in 2020” with these highlights: “What does a city that manufactured an archipelago of 300 islands on a whim create for a landmark event? As Dubai prepares to make history as the host of the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, the answer is emerging from the sand: an entire new city. To welcome the 25 million visitors expected to attend the six-month-long event that kicks off in October, the City of Gold has spent billions building up a sprawling site that’s double the size of Hong Kong island. If ever there was a metropolis of the future, this is it: There will be 130 buildings connected by smart technology that can do everything from monitoring the charging of electric vehicles to making sure the buildings’ temperatures are just right for visitors. At the site’s core is Al Wasl Plaza, an engineering feat crowned with a steel dome that can be turned into a 360-degree projection surface. Meanwhile, developers outside the Expo site are constructing their own fantastical draws in the desert. There’s the upcoming Aladdin City, a trio of commercial and residential towers in the Dubai Creek area that will each resemble a magic lamp when completed, while near the city central’s Emirates Towers, the Museum of the Future is taking shape—designed not by a famous name, but by a computer algorithm.  The most anticipated launch of the year is probably that of ME by Meliá Dubai, the only hotel the late Zaha Hadid designed inside and out. After several delays, the cube-shaped building is finally slated to open with 93 rooms and 15 food and beverage outlets, including London hot spot Roka’s first overseas outpost.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-places-to-go-in-2020

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Wonderful scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 238,273

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[TLCOhio]

From the Boston Globe Travel Section this past week, they had this headline: “5 over-the-top experiences you must do in Dubai” with these highlights: “Dubai is extra. Everything about Dubai is over-the-top, from its hotels to its dining scene to its activities. And that’s why we love it. Drive like James Bond.  James Bond loves to pose with his Aston Martin. We’ve seen him drive his epic car in “Goldeneye,” “Die Another Day,” and “Casino Royale” — and will once more in the soon to be released “No Time to Die.” When you stay at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, you can drive one of the Aston Martins through Dubai and the desert.  The experience is gratis for those staying at this Waldorf or at the Waldorf Astoria Ras al Khaimah.”

 

Here is an option cited for pearl diving.  This profile shared:  "Dubai contains natural pearls and has a rich pearl history (pun intended). The tradition dates back more than 7,000 years, to when Ras Al Khaimah was a major trading post for pearls in the 1100s. In fact, many of the families who live in Dubai today are there because they wanted to live close to their pearl diving jobs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While the UAE pearl industry plummeted after their pearls were replaced by artificial Japanese pearls in the 1900s, you can still take a pearl diving trip steeped in tradition — and you can keep whatever you find."   

 

Also suggested was: "Exploring the desert via camel — a.k.a. a desert safari — is the only way to do it here. It’s the oldest form of transport, and is actually much easier than riding a horse, as they go incredibly slowly and all you have to do is sit and enjoy the ride. A desert safari in Dubai traditionally includes the sunset camel-ride, an Emirati dinner (lots of meats and hummus), belly dancing, henna painting, and a falcon show. It’s essentially a Dubai bucket list checked off in a single evening."

 

Full story at:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/01/23/lifestyle/5-over-the-top-experiences-you-must-do-dubai/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 250,375 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

Here is one of the Boston Globe visuals used to illustrate this Dubai feature story.  This photo is by an Associated Press/AP photographer. It shows people enjoying a city skyline view with the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, rising in the middle.  Nice angle for this amazing city.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see this picture larger/better!)

[TLCOhio]

From the Wall Street Journal earlier this month, they had this headline: “Dubai Emerges as Tech Hub of the Arab World" with this sub-headline: "Technology industry in the emirate has grown during the pandemic, as it kept its borders open and vaccinated aggressively.”

 

Here are some of their story highlights: “A tech industry is growing in Dubai, spurred by the pandemic, as startups here attract interest from international venture firms, including SoftBank Group Corp. and Sequoia Capital.  Dubai largely kept its border open, aggressively vaccinated and introduced visas and other policies that have attracted an increasingly mobile international workforce. With much of Europe and Asia launching lockdowns through multiple waves of Covid-19, Dubai’s mix of relaxed virus policies, low taxes and relatively light business regulation created an attractive environment for technology startups, executives said.  'The thing that’s really changed is Covid—it accelerated the ecosystem by three to five years,' said Asher Siddiqui, a Dubai-based venture capitalist and former partner at San Francisco-based 500 Startups. The world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, has set up offices in Dubai.  Dubai has also benefited from the United Arab Emirates’ new diplomatic relations with Israel, struck in 2020 in a deal known as the Abraham Accords, which created opportunities for Dubai to make connections with the already-established tech hub in Tel Aviv. Companies from Israel, which is also experiencing a tech boom, are expanding and choosing Dubai for their first regional outpost. The Arab world has a young, tech-savvy population, but it traditionally has been a source of capital for investors rather than a place lauded for its entrepreneurs, venture capitalists said.”

 

Looks as if things are not slowing down in Dubai and the UAE.  Right?

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/dubai-emerges-as-tech-hub-of-the-arab-world-11646568001

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 243,796 views.
www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[TLCOhio]

From the Wall Street Journal earlier this month, they had this headline: “Is Dubai the Next Great Food Destination?” with this sub-headline: "Not long ago, the Persian Gulf city tried to reel in visitors with celebrity ‘guest’ chefs and flashy fare. But the food scene is evolving radically, offering tastes of harder-to-come-by cuisines."

 

Here are some of their story highlights: “The World Expo, the international fair held every five years, wrapped up its six-month run in Dubai on Thursday. In many ways, the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates was an ideal host for the expo, considering its own cultural diversity. Roughly 85% of Dubai’s population are noncitizens, making it among the most immigrant-heavy populations in the world. Like many places with large numbers of immigrants, Dubai is a dizzying mix of languages, cultures and cuisines.  On a trip last fall, it was those cuisines I was especially eager to dig into. I spent four days seeking out the city’s most interesting restaurants, assiduously avoiding the gold-dusted sushi rolls and caviar-topped pizza that are more commonly associated with this highflying city in favor of great, lesser-hyped fare: Uzbek, Syrian, Persian and hyper-regional Indian and Pakistani, among others.  In 2017,  it seemed that the city’s food scene was largely dominated by foreign celebrity chefs who seemed to pop in on long layovers and sell their names to the highest local bidder. Dubai’s immigrant culinary presence mainly took the form of inexpensive Indian and Pakistani joints, streetside shawarma stands, homey Iranian kebab houses and storefronts serving Filipino cuisine to homesick workers. Now, the culinary range of this city has radically expanded.”

 

Here is more from their reporting: "Osh, another restaurant newcomer situated in a fashionable seaside shopping strip, flies in Uzbekistan’s famous tomatoes, lamb and rice straight from Tashkent in order to riff on that nation’s little-known cuisine. Its kitchen is run by an only-in-Dubai character: an Ecuadorean chef who learned to cook Central Asian food in the UAE.  The best areas to see immigrant Dubai up close are Deira and neighboring Bur Dubai, which were once considered the heart of the city but have now been eclipsed by neighborhoods to the south with beachfront hotels, vast condominium complexes, artificial islands and luxury shopping malls."

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/dubai-next-great-food-destination-11648823829?mod=life_work_minor_pos1

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio 

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 236,935 views.
www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

 

From the Wall Street Journal, below is the graphic used to highlight this story about the changing food scene in Dubai.:
(Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!)

Edited April 8, 2022 by TLCOhio